Abstract: In the past it has been assumed that while the Portuguese royal council was a prominent institution during the reigns of the early Avis monarchs, it declined in importance under João II (1481-95) and Manuel I (1495-1521). Much of this assumption was based on the equation of utility with autonomy, suggesting that the royal council functioned better at times when the political power of the monarch was weak or during a regency period. It has been alleged that during the reign of Manuel I the vast inflation of the royal council rendered the office of royal councillor nothing more than an honorific title. Based on archival evidence, this paper argues that while the royal council did increase during the Manueline reign, this growth has been greatly exaggerated. The inflation of the council was part of an attempt to bridge political factions in the early years of Manuel I's reign. It appears, however, that the king continued to rely on a core group of councillors for expert advice, as well as to build consensus for royal action.

© 2004-2005 Portuguese Studies Review. All rights reserved.